CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSThis application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/830,194 filed Jul. 12, 2006, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth.
FIELD OF INVENTIONThe present invention is related to a wireless communication system. More particularly, the present invention is related to the simultaneous activation of multiple bearer services upon attachment based on pre-configuration data stored in the WTRU in a long term evolution (LTE) general packet radio service (GPRS) tunneling protocol (GTP)-based system.
BACKGROUNDFIG. 1 shows a conventional GPRS/third generation (3G) wirelesscommunication system architecture100 that shows various interfaces/protocols as well as user data transfer interfaces between various network entities. Thewireless communication system100 includes at least one serving GPRS support node (SGSN)105 and at least one gateway GPRS support node (GGSN)110. Thewireless communication system100 further comprises a universal terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN)115 which includes one or more radio access networks (RANs), base station systems (BSSs) and radio network controllers (RNCs), (not shown). Thesystem100 also comprises a plurality of wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs)120, each including a terminal equipment (TE)125 coupled to a mobile terminal (MT)130. The mobility in thewireless communication system100 is facilitated by anchoring an Internet Protocol (IP) session at the GGSN110 and allowing for multi-level mobility by supporting mobility management (MM) protocols for IP and non-IP traffic/services provided by the SGSN105.
FIG. 2A shows how dual tunnels are established in the conventionalwireless communication system100 ofFIG. 1 to provide IP connectivity for user plane traffic. As shown inFIG. 2A, a GPRS tunnelling protocol (GTP) user plane (GTP-U)tunnel220 is established between a GGSN205 and an SGSN210, and a seconduser plane tunnel225 is established between the SGSN210 and a radio network controller (RNC)215. Both tunnels are dedicated to the same user. The GTPtunnel220 has a user plane and a control plane. Theuser tunnel225 is an IP tunnel having a user plane and a RAN application part (RANAP) control plane used for control messaging.
FIG. 3 shows the system architecture evolution (SAE) of a long term evolution (LTE)-based network with various interfaces/protocols as well as user data transfer interfaces between various network entities. Thewireless communication system300 includes an evolvedpacket core305 comprising at least one mobility management entity (MME)/user plane entity (UPE)310 and at least one inter-access system (AS)anchor315, also called an access gateway (AGW). An evolvedradio access network320 includes at least one evolved Node-B (eNodeB). Thewireless communication system300 further comprises aGPRS core325 as described above with reference toFIG. 1, which includes at least one universal terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN)330, and at least one GPRS enhanced data rates for global system for mobile communications (GSM) evolution (EDGE) radio access network (GERAN)335. Mobility of WTRUs (not shown) in thewireless communication system300 is facilitated by anchoring Internet Protocol (IP) sessions at the AGW315 and allowing for multi-level mobility by supporting MM protocols for IP traffic/services provided by the AGW315.
LTE based networks are the evolution toward all IP Networks (AIPNs). IP traffic generated from the network operator, such as instant messaging, and non third generation partnership project (3GPP) IP traffic, (i.e., wireless local area network (WLAN) traffic), is anchored and routed through the AGW315.
One objective in LTE is to facilitate mobility and reducing development cost by anchoring IP sessions at the AGW and allowing for multi-level mobility and supporting existing GPRS/3G MM protocols. In LTE, most of the services and applications are migrating toward IP-based platforms. This migration requires IP connectivity and the traffic generated does not have be terminated at a mobility management entity (MME)/user plane entity (UPE), as it is the case in GPRS.
The current packet data protocol (PDP) context activation performed in GPRS and universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) 3GPP systems is dedicated to single bearer services.
Primary PDP context activation performs IP configuration and the selection of access point name (APN) associated with session initiation protocol (SIP) signaling. A secondary PDP context activation is needed for each additional bearer service. This means that the three-way handshake process will be repeated over and over for each additional service to be activated, (e.g., email, streaming, web browsing, and the like). There is a need to simplify this method by reducing the number of PDP (primary and secondary) activations signaled and increase the setup time to perform any of the above mentioned services.
SUMMARYThe present invention is related to a method of activating multiple bearer services in an LTE wireless communication system including multiple bearers. At least one of the multiple bearers is activated during the initial attach procedures combining the attach procedure with activate PDP context activation procedures. In one embodiment, LTE attach procedures are implemented for multi-bearer services activation that establishes an LTE direct GTP tunnel or normal GPRS GTP two-tunnels operation. In another embodiment, the initial attach procedures are used to activate a default PDP context to be followed by modified PDP context activation procedures for multi-bearer services activation. These procedures can be used to establish a modified LTE direct GTP tunnel or a normal GTP two-tunnels operation.
The present invention changes existing GPRS procedures by performing a single step of activation of multiple bearers during the initial attached procedures, or using the initial attached procedures to activate a default bearer, followed by modify procedures that activate the remaining multiple bearers in a single step.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSA more detailed understanding of the invention may be had from the following description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of example and to be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a conventional GPRS/3G wireless communication system architecture;
FIG. 2A shows establishment of a conventional GTP user plane tunnel;
FIG. 2B shows establishment of a single GTP tunnel in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 shows the system architecture evolution (SAE) of an LTE-based wireless communication system;
FIG. 4 shows a conventional tunnel protocol stack;
FIG. 5 shows an LTE GTP protocol stack in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a signal flow diagram of a conventional tunnel establishment procedure;
FIG. 7 is a signal flow diagram of LTE attach procedures for a multi-bearer services activation for establishing an LTE single GTP tunnel; and
FIG. 8 is a signal flow diagram of modified PDP context activation procedures for multi-bearer services activation for establishing an LTE single GTP tunnel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSWhen referred to hereafter, the terminology “wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU)” includes but is not limited to a user equipment (UE), a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a pager, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a computer, or any other type of user device capable of operating in a wireless environment. When referred to hereafter, the terminology “base station” includes but is not limited to an eNodeB, a site controller, an access point (AP), or any other type of interfacing device capable of operating in a wireless environment.
The features of the present invention may be incorporated into an integrated circuit (IC) or be configured in a circuit comprising a multitude of interconnecting components.
In accordance with the present invention, the mobility in GPRS, (3G or beyond), systems is facilitated by anchoring the IP session at the home GGSN and allowing for multi-level mobility, and by supporting existing MM protocols for non-IP traffic/services provided by the SGSN.
FIG. 2B shows a single user-plane tunnel approach in accordance with the present invention. A singleuser plane tunnel260 is used to reduce the delay and processing power of an MME/UPE255. In the two-tunnel approach shown inFIG. 2A, the SGSN210 terminates both theGTP tunnel220 and auser plane tunnel225 to theRNC215, which means that the SGSN210 decodes the packets traveling in both directions and translates them into the different protocol formats of the twotunnels220 and225. In a single tunnel approach shown inFIG. 2B, the MME/UPE255 only establishes a tunnel between the AGW265 and the eNodeB250 via two separate interfaces/protocols, (RANAP-C and GTP-C). In the single tunnel approach, the MME/UPE255 is not involved in the user plane traffic. Thus, the user traffic passes through the MME/UPE255 unchanged, (i.e., unaltered), in both directions. Only theeNodeB250 and theAGW265 are allowed to perform/act on the user plane traffic. The MME/UPE255 only manages the control traffic, including MM, routing area update (RAU), and the like, associated with the user and its IP based traffic. The MME/UPE255 connects aneNodeB250 and anAGW265 using a GTP control plane to communicate with theAGW265 and a RANAP control plane to communicate with theeNodeB250. When a handoff occurs between eNodeBs, the MME/UPE255 is responsible for providing theAGW265 with the new eNodeB tunnel endpoint identity (TEID) information and the establishment of thesingle tunnel260.
FIG. 4 shows a prior art tunnel protocol stack according to existing GPRS protocol. A GTP-U tunnel transfers, (i.e., tunnels), user data between a UTRAN (which includes RANs, BSSs and RNCs) and a 3G-SGSN, and between the 3G-SGSN and a 3G-GGSN.
FIG. 5 shows tunnel protocol stack in accordance with the present invention, in which the user plane tunnel is established between an eNodeB and an AGW. The IP Tunnel shown inFIG. 5 can be GTP-based or any generic IP-Tunnel. In a preferred embodiment, the GTP-U tunnel is used as an IP tunnel.
FIG. 6 is a conventional signaling diagram of a process for single tunnel establishment. The single tunnel functionality reduces the delay and processing power at the SGSN by reducing the need for protocol translation between the RNC and GGSN interfaces, and by enabling direct user plane tunnel between the RAN/RNC and the GGSN within the packet switched (PS) domain. However, the single tunnel approach will not eliminate the need for the SGSN to manage control traffic for IP-based traffic. The SGSN is still needed for the control plane signalling, MM and call/session management, and the SGSN makes a decision as to whether to establish a single tunnel or establish dual tunnels.
In the case of a single tunnel, the SGSN should connect the RAN/RNC TEID and the GGSN TEID for user plane by informing each end point of the tunnel of the corresponding TEID of the other end point, (i.e., informing the GGSN of the RNC TEID and informing the RNC of the GGSN TEID). In the case of a handoff between RNCs, the SGSN is responsible for updating and providing the GGSN with new RNC TEID information and the establishment of the single tunnel.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the activation of multiple bearers for multiple services during the primary PDP context activation are performed while the WTRU initiates packet switched (PS)-attach procedures. The WTRU preferably includes a list of services that need to be activated and the associated network service access point identifier (NSAPI) in the attach request.
The SGSN then preferably selects the APN, (e.g., a GGSN or an AGW) that performs these services. In the preferred embodiment, an MME/UPE is used as the SGSN. The SGSN (MME/UPE) preferably establishes the multi bearers in the radio network controller (RNC)/eNodeB. The RNC/eNodeB preferably establishes the multi-bearers with the WTRU and confirms back to the SGSN. The SGSN (MME/UPE) preferably establishes the tunneling required between the GGSN/AGW and the RNC/eNodeB whether it is a single tunnel (LTE/single tunnel GPRS) or two tunnels (GPRS). The SGSN then preferably allocates the IP and confirms the allocation of bearers and their associated NSAPI.
FIG. 7 shows an LTE single GTP tunnel establishment (LTE attach)procedure700 for activating multi-bearer services, which is implemented in a wireless communication system including aWTRU705, aneNodeB710, an MME/UPE715 and anAGW720 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. TheWTRU705 sends an LTE attach request message to theeNodeB710 and the MME/UPE715 that includes one or more information elements (IEs) (step725). The IEs may include one or more of the following: PDP type, PDP address, service list, APNs, a NSAPI list and quality of service (QoS) associated with each service. The NSAPI list is used to map specific services to specific end points at theWTRU705 and the Core Network. The MME of the MME/UPE715 validates the LTE attach request, selects an APN, maps the selected APN to theAGW720 and determines the GTP TEIDs and the NAPSI list (step730). The MME of the MME/UPE715 forwards the NSAPI list to theAGW720 to identify the user service end points. The MME of the MME/UPE715 validates the service list against the subscriber profile in the home subscriber server (HSS). The selection of APN is based on many variables including the service identification. The MME/UPE715 determines if a single tunnel is supported and/or requested, and notes the existence of the GTP TEIDs and NSAPI list (step730). The admission control point where the MME performs service validation against the user profile selects the appropriate APN for each service. The MME then contacts the gateway(s) to establish the PD context for each service identified in the list and according to the respective QoS profile.
The MME/UPE715 creates a PDP context request that includes information regarding at least one of the following: PDP Type, PDP Address, service list, NSAPI list, APNs list, eNodeB TEID and QoS (step735). TheAGW720 creates a PDP context response that preferably includes information regarding at least one of the following: PDP Type, PDP Address, APN, an indicator that the establishment of the GTP tunnel is granted, AGW TEID and QoS (step740). TheWTRU705 and theeNodeB710 setup a plurality of radio access bearers (RABs) that include APNs, a service list and a NSAPI list (step745). In this step, theeNodeB810 establishes a radio bearer for each service and uses the NSAPI list to mark each service. Instep750, the MME/UPE715 and theeNodeB710 exchange tunnel setup signaling that includes a mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN), a PDP address, APNs, a NSAPI list and an AGW TEID, and the MME/UPE715 sends tunnel establishment information to theeNodeB710 after receiving an indication of acceptance from theAGW720 to establish the tunnel. Instep755, the MME/UPE715 sends an invoke trace message to theeNodeB710. The MME/UPE715 sends an update PDP context request to the AGW720 (step760) to establish the new tunnel by informing theAGW720 of the AGW TEID associated with the request, and theAGW720 sends an update PDP context response to the MME/UPE715 (step765) confirming or rejecting the establishment of the tunnel and the associated attributes, (RNC TEID, PDP type, PDP address, user ID, and the like). The MME/UPE715 inserts the AGW address in its PDP context, sends the PDP address received from the AGW720 (step770) and prepares for the response to be sent down to theWTRU705. Thus, if necessary, the MME/UPE715 updates the PDP context in theAGW720 to reflect any changes in the QoS attributes resulting from the RAB setup ofstep745. Tunnel establishing signaling is exchanged between theeNodeB710 and theAGW720 including the MSISDN, PDP address, eNodeB TEID, AGW TEID and NSAPI list (step775. The MME/UPE715 sends an activate PDP context accept signal to theWTRU705 that indicates the presence of a single tunnel (step780). The activate PDP context accept signal preferably includes PDF information, a service list, APNs and a NSAPI list. The PDP information includes the IP address and IP version, (e.g., v4 or v6).
FIG. 8 shows an LTE single GTP tunnel establishment (PDF context modification)procedure800 for activating multi-bearer services, which is implemented in a wireless communication system including aWTRU805, aneNodeB810, an MME/UPE815 and anAGW820 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. TheWTRU805 sends an modify PDF context request message to theeNodeB810 and the MME/UPE815 that includes one or more IEs (step825). The IEs may include one or more of the following: PDP type, PDP address, service list, APNs, a NSAPI list and QoS associated with each service (step825). The NAPSI list is used to map specific services to specific end points at theWTRU805 and the Core Network. The MME of the MME/UPE815 validates the modify PDP context request, selects an APN, maps the selected APN to theAGW820 and determines the GTP TEIDs and the NAPSI list (step830). The MME of the MME/UPE815 determines if a single tunnel is supported and/or requested, and notes the existence of the GTP TEIDs and NSAPI list (step830).
The MME/UPE815 creates a modify PDP context request that includes information regarding at least one of the following: PDP Type, PDP Address, service list, NSAPI list, APNs list, eNodeB TEID and QoS (step835). TheAGW820 creates a PDP context response that preferably includes information regarding at least one of the following: PDP Type, PDP Address, APN, an indicator that the establishment of the GTP tunnel is granted, AGW TEID and QoS (step840). TheWTRU805 and theeNodeB810 setup a plurality of RABs that include APNs, a service list and a NSAPI list (step845). Instep850, the MME/UPE815 and theeNodeB810 exchange tunnel setup signaling that includes a mobile station international subscriber directory number (MSISDN), a PDP address, APNs, a NSAPI list and an AGW TEID, and the MME/UPE815 sends tunnel establishment information to theeNodeB810 after receiving an indication of acceptance from theAGW820 to establish the tunnel. Instep855, the MME/UPE815 sends an invoke trace message to theeNodeB810. The MME/UPE815 sends an update PDP context request to the AGW820 (step860) to establish the new tunnel by informing theAGW820 of the AGW TEID associated with the request, and theAGW820 sends an update PDP context response to the MME/UPE815 (step865) confirming or rejecting the establishment of the tunnel and the associated attributes, (RNC TEID, PDP type, PDP address, user ID, and the like). The MME/UPE815 inserts the AGW address in its PDP context, sends the PDP address received from the AGW820 (step870) and prepares for the response to be sent down to theWTRU805. Thus, if necessary, the MME/UPE815 updates the PDP context in theAGW820 to reflect any changes in the QoS attributes resulting from the RAB setup ofstep845. A modified tunnel establishing signaling is exchanged between theeNodeB810 and theAGW820 including the MSISDN, PDP address, eNodeB TEID, AGW TEID and NSAPI list (step875). The MME/UPE815 sends a modify PDP context accept signal to theWTRU805 that indicates the presence of a single modified tunnel (step880). The activate PDP context accept signal preferably includes PDF information, a service list, APNs and a NSAPI list.
The above preferred methods are preferably implemented, by way of example, as software or middleware, at the WTRU and the eNodeB or similar base station. The implementation is applicable to various communication layers, including by not limited to the network layer, the session layer and the presentation layer.
Although the features and elements of the present invention are described in the preferred embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the other features and elements of the preferred embodiments or in various combinations with or without other features and elements of the present invention. The methods or flow charts provided in the present invention may be implemented in a computer program, software, or firmware tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage medium for execution by a general purpose computer or a processor. Examples of computer-readable storage mediums include a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a register, cache memory, semiconductor memory devices, magnetic media such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical media, and optical media such as CD-ROM disks, and digital versatile disks (DVDs).
Suitable processors include, by way of example, a general purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) circuits, any other type of integrated circuit (IC), and/or a state machine.
A processor in association with software may be used to implement a radio frequency transceiver for use in a wireless transmit receive unit (WTRU), user equipment (UE), terminal, base station, radio network controller (RNC), or any host computer. The WTRU may be used in conjunction with modules, implemented in hardware and/or software, such as a camera, a video camera module, a videophone, a speakerphone, a vibration device, a speaker, a microphone, a television transceiver, a hands free headset, a keyboard, a Bluetooth® module, a frequency modulated (FM) radio unit, a liquid crystal display (LCD) display unit, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display unit, a digital music player, a media player, a video game player module, an Internet browser, and/or any wireless local area network (WLAN) module.